Mitsubishi UFJ said it will buy the 25.3 per cent stake from US investment group GE Capital, a subsidiary of General Electric, which is currently restructuring its holdings in Asia, whereas Japan’s banks are seeking to diversify from their margin-pressured home market.

The Japanese are paying twice Ayudhya’s book value, which represents a roughly 50 per cent premium to the average market valuation of Thai banks, Bloomberg says.

Mitsubishi UFJ wants to expand the retail and corporate business of Bank of Ayudhya, which operates its branches under the ‘Krungsri’ brand. The bank currently has a network of around 600 branches in Thailand.

After approval by Thailand’s capital market authorities, the deal will be finalised from November to December 2013, Mitsubishi UFG said in a release on July 2.

Bank of Ayudhya’s founding family, the Ratanarak family, will hold on to its 25 per cent stake in the bank.

Mitsubishi UFJ said it will buy the 25.3 per cent stake from US investment group GE Capital, a subsidiary of General Electric, which is currently restructuring its holdings in Asia, whereas Japan’s banks are seeking to diversify from their margin-pressured home market.

The Japanese are paying twice Ayudhya’s book value, which represents a roughly 50 per cent premium to the average market valuation of Thai banks, Bloomberg says.

Mitsubishi UFJ wants to expand the retail and corporate business of Bank of Ayudhya, which operates its branches under the ‘Krungsri’ brand. The bank currently has a network of around 600 branches in Thailand.

After approval by Thailand’s capital market authorities, the deal will be finalised from November to December 2013, Mitsubishi UFG said in a release on July 2.

Bank of Ayudhya’s founding family, the Ratanarak family, will hold on to its 25 per cent stake in the bank.